Senegal won't step up anymore

[6515parrot]

We brought home a senegal 2 weeks ago. He is young, but not a baby. He was very friendly at the pet store, stepping up willingly to any one of us from a perch. After we got him home, he was not so willing to step up for me to get him out of his cage, but would for my husband and son. Once they got him out of the cage he would go to anyone.
But now he will not step up for any of us. Even if we let him climb out of the cage he doesn't want to come to us once outside the cage either.
We are trying the positive reinforcement, but are very limited because he does not take food from us. Occasionally he will take a sunflower seed, but drop it immediately. So for now we are talking to him and spending time clase to his cage to see if we can encourage him to step up again.

Any suggestions?

[6515parrot]

Getting worse...
Now he acts like he wants to come out, but when I get close he gags repeatedly.

[Michael]

http://TrainedParrot.com/Taming

[ljeanne]

mine used to spend alot of time on my shoulder and now she won't step up either, she just ducks her head down and waits for me to go away . she climbs out on her own if i leave door open.

[GreenWing]

Tiki was a bit like that, too, when we first took her home. She is currently 5 months old, so she is also very young.

I think it can take some time for a bird to get settled and feel comfortable. Tiki would step up at first, and then suddenly, she wouldn't. I checked out some parrot books from the library, one specifically on Senegals (A Guide to the Senegal Parrot and its Family). I took advice from the book and I started to approach her with my hands behind my back, and I'd say "Step up" before showing my hands. I'd stick my tongue out and wiggle it (this is a friendly "I want to get to know you" sign) and blink my eyes at her. Then I'd gently bring my hand out, offer it to her, and say "Step up." It worked. She doesn't refuse to step-up now, unless it's late and she's cranky!

[Bobioden]

The honeymoon phase is over, now the work begins.